About Us -

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans' pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves.

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In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. After chapters were formed in Ohio, Colorado and Pennsylvania, the movement quickly gained momentum. By 1915, membership grew to 5,000; by 1936, membership was almost 200,000.

Since then, the VFW's voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The VFW also has fought for improving VA medical centers services for women veterans.

Besides helping fund the creation of the Vietnam, Korean War, World War II and Women in Military Service memorials, the VFW in 2005 became the first veterans' organization to contribute to building the new Disabled Veterans for Life Memorial, which opened in November 2010.

Annually, the nearly 2 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliaries contribute more than 8.6 million hours of volunteerism in the community, including participation in Make A Difference Day and National Volunteer Week.

From providing over $3 million in college scholarships and savings bonds to students every year, to encouraging elevation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to the president's cabinet, the VFW is there.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Inspirational testimonials and quotes

Post News

Important Info for Post12173 Members

STAND DOWN FOR HOMELESS VETS

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National News

Important info from National VFW

VFW Celebrates the Navy's 249th Birthday

WASHINGTON - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins in with our grateful nation in celebrating the birthday of the U.S. Navy, wh...

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VFW Thanks Members Still Serving in the Wake of Disaster

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - "Throughout our storied history, times of challenge and adversity have brought forth the opportunity for VFW an...

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OUR MISSION

That the purpose of this Corporation shall be fraternal, patriotic, historical, charitable, and educational: to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members; to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead; and to assist their widows and orphans; to maintain true allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, and fidelity to its Constitution and laws; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to preserve and defend the United States from all her enemies.

Upcoming events

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View Local, State and National events.

Membership Details

As yesterday's defenders of freedom...

...we want to welcome today's military service members into our ranks to become part of our elite group.

WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Kosovo, War in Afghanistan, War in Iraq, War on Global Terror and other Peace-Keeping Expeditionary Campaigns throughout the globe.

Assistance & Benefits

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is dedicated

to supporting those who sacrifice so much for this country, veterans, service members in the US Armed Forces, and their families and continues to be a voice for returning and currently deployed service members and their families.

Who are we?

We are 227 combat veterans dedicated to providing vital assistance and support for America’s service members, veterans, and their families. Our members exemplify the best of America and represent the heart of today’s VFW.

We are not the dying veterans’ organization you may have read about, nor are we sitting in a smoky bar telling war stories. We don’t even have a bar. Our members range from 22 years old to 100, with an average age of 52.

We are a five-time All-American VFW Post, an award granted to the top 1% of posts worldwide. The Post also earned the 2021-2022 & 2022-2023 VFW Outstanding Community Service Award which is presented annually to 75 out of nearly 6000 VFW Posts worldwide.

Since July 2020, the post has completed 408 veteran, troop, or community service projects with a $573,848.32 impact to the community we serve.

We are proud to proclaim that NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS THAN THE VFW

Membership

As the largest combat veterans organization around, VFW membership spans the globe. We’re an elite group of combat warriors who have each other’s backs long after the fight is over.

Camaraderie. Empowerment. Access to a vast network of resources. Assistance securing the benefits you've earned. Numerous discounts on a number of products and services. With a VFW membership, you'll find all this and more! Further, your VFW membership establishes your place in the VFW legacy that dates back to our founding in 1899.

Please fill out the application /uploads/Documents/MembershipApplication.pdf and send to adjutant@njvfw.com along with a redacted DD-214, or stop by a meeting or event.

Dues are $30.00 per year.

EVENTS

VFW MEETING 1^ST WED OF EVERY MONTH

DINNER @ 6PM -MEETING @ 7PM -IN PERSON & ZOOM

Troop Donation List

Soap (shampoo, body wash, face wash, etc.)

Toothpaste, toothbrush and floss

Deodorant (travel size/non-aerosol)

Lip balm

Foot powder

Baby wipes

Sunscreen

Hand sanitizer

Pain-relieving topical cream (not a necessity, but can be a real luxury)

Vicks VapoRub

Lens cleaning cloths and glass cleaner for goggles

Reading material (magazines, books or an e-reader like a Kindle)

Handheld video games

Board games

Decks of cards

Puzzles

Batteries (AAs and AAAs)

Pencils

3M wall hooks to decorate

Hot sauce

Water flavoring packets

Beef jerky

Slim Jims

Protein bars/drinks

Gum

Sunflower seeds & nuts

Packaged food such as tuna, instant soups, instant Mac & Cheese

Post 12173 is an All-American Post for the years:

2018-2019

2019-2020

2020-2021

2021-2022

2022-2023

The VFW All-American designation is awarded by National VFW Commander in Chief to top posts globally and recognizes posts for their service, representation, and advocacy for veterans, their families and the communities they serve. They are considered the best of the best.

We also received the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 Outstanding Community Service Post Award which is awarded annually to only 75 out of 6000 + posts world-wide.

Community Activities

These projects included assistance to homeless veterans, twice monthly mental health awareness sessions &

our Afghan Veteran Listening Session

Sea Scout & Boy Scout support including honoring 5 Eagle Scouts - flag retirement ceremonies, camp outs & church services

Memorial Day, 4th of July, POW/MIA Awareness, 9/11 Memorial, Veterans Day & Pearl Harbor ceremonies, get out the vote projects or events

School student scholarships including our Voice of Democracy & Patriots Pens Essay contests

Donated 400+ winter coats to area school children

Annual Halloween Trunk or Treat

Thanksgiving meals prepared and delivered to 100s homebound citizens

& to the State Police Tuckerton Barracks & Little Egg Police Department

Hosting veteran & troop food banks along with donations to local food banks

Christmas gifts to hospitalized children

Support to over 1000 troops & family members

Support to hospitalized & homeless veterans

Honoring our young men & women who have enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces

PEARL HARBOR DAY 2021 WITH VIKING YACHT

SCOUTS

THANKSGIVING

COMMUNITY SERVICE

FOOD DRIVES

YOUTH

177th BBQ

Vietnam Veteran Pin Ceremony